Carbon monoxide
Run engines outdoors only, well away from doors, windows and vents, and never in a garage, basement, crawl space or under a deck — open doors do not make those spaces safe.
Fit a working carbon monoxide alarm in any building or vehicle being powered.
Never backfeed
Feeding a panel through an outlet energises the utility line and can kill line workers restoring power. Use a transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician.
Grounding and connections
Follow the manufacturer's grounding instructions and local code; requirements differ between a cord-connected portable unit and a unit bonded to a building system. Use correctly rated cords and inspect them for damage.
Fuel and weather
Shut down and let the engine cool before refuelling, store fuel in approved containers away from the unit, and keep the generator dry under a rated open canopy — never a sealed enclosure.